26th year Annual Clarissa Street Reunion/Festival Celebration

This August Help Commemorate the 26th year Annual Clarissa Street Reunion/Festival Celebration

From Clarissa Street Legacy Committee

The Clarissa Street Legacy is holding the annual Reunion that takes place in one of the most culturally rich neighborhoods of Rochester on Saturday, August 17, 2024, 10 am-8 pm. The upcoming 26th year Annual Clarissa Street Reunion/Festival celebration will commemorate the Clarissa St, third ward area. It will feature three stages of live music. Jazz (& national headliner), Gospel, and R&B. There will be food and product vendors as well. This is a family friendly, open to everyone event.

The event celebrates a neighborhood known for producing renowned jazz musicians in the 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's. Clarissa Street, which is located in the southwest quadrant of Rochester and the old 3rd Ward, was a true melting pot which brought together people of Black, Italian, Irish, and Jewish descent. Streets were made of cobblestone and trolley cars were a familiar sight.

The Clarissa Street Reunion, held annually since 1996, is a wonderful celebration of the memories and the relationships that were formed in the neighborhood.

In the late 1960’s and early 70’s, Black African-American & Brown families were redlined and uprooted. Clarissa St at that time, was filled with black and brown businesses, family homes and the well-known Pythodd Jazz Club where many famous entertainers performed early in their careers.

You can visit the Rundel Library, on Wednesdays & Saturdays, in downtown Rochester, New York, to see the Clarissa Street Legacy great exhibit, showing the history of the 3rd Ward/Clarissa St, red lining, and a replica of the famous Pythodd Jazz Club which at special times, features live jazz as it did back in the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s.

You can also see a large mural, on the underpass wall at Broad St. & W Main St., here in Rochester, NY, that also commemorates Clarissa St. and the Pythodd Jazz Club.

Please visit www.clarissastreetlegacy.com to see more information about the Clarissa Street Reunion.